I meant to post something about this yesterday, but what do you say really? I posted and re-posted many things on Twitter and Facebook yesterday and today that reflected how I felt and what I wanted other people to know or understand. However, this blog is all about LGBT+ news and entertainment, so I knew I had to talk about this. For those that aren't aware, there was a mass shooting in Orlando Florida, early Sunday morning at a gay nightclub called Pulse. 49 people were killed and 53 more people were injured, not to mention the other people at the club that night as well as all their friends and family members affected. This is something that rocked the LGBT+ community because no matter what reasoning is given, this was a hate crime.
This was something that deeply affected the LGBT+ community, but I hope that it didn't just hit those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Asexual, etc. This should be a moment in history that affected all Americas, as well as every other decent human being in the world. Innocent people were murdered because someone didn't agree with them. They decided the answer was to gun down 49 people and injure 53 more because of their personal beliefs. This is not right. This is not acceptable. Regardless of what you think about guns and gun control, there needs to be change. This cannot keep happening.
America is the land of the free. And yet, we keep having mass shootings. People die in churches, in colleges, in elementary schools, in LGBT+ nightclubs. It needs to stop. It is not fair that we should live in fear of not only who we are, but where we go. It is not fair. It is not right.
We need things to change.
This is not an overtly political blog, but I'm not talking politics here. I'm talking human lives. I'm talking love. I'm talking compassion. We have it - let's show it.
NBC News released the names of all 49 confirmed dead in this tragic shooting. I went to a vigil tonight in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and one of the speakers mentioned that you can read these names online, first name- last name - age - but that they were so much more than that. This should be remembered. These were people; they were more than names on a list. Much more than just someone who was shot in a tragic hate crime. We need to remember.
This is what hate looks like. This is what it feels like.
But hate doesn't win. Love does. Keep loving. Keep being brave.
I'll be posting more about these shootings in the coming weeks, but I wanted to make sure I posted something sooner rather than later. I'll be including lighter posts too - reviews, music, etc. - so please feel free to read what you can handle.
Share your thoughts below, but remember:
Be Kind.
-Lauren Becker
